General information
Spiral Ear specialises in the hand-crafting of In-Ear Monitors, and
it is this focus and philosophy that have allowed us to refine and
perfect our designs over many years. Extensive laboratory
experimentation aimed at improving every aspect of the crafting
process—from start to finish—has been ongoing for well over a
decade.
Our work prioritises sound quality above all else; however, equal
attention is given to long-term durability, including cable
construction, internal wiring, crossover design, and the
development of ever more comfortable and ergonomic
earpieces.
Spiral Ear monitors are designed for both demanding musicians
and high-fidelity audio enthusiasts. More than ten years of
meticulous experimentation have been guided by a single
objective: to achieve the ideal balance in audio reproduction—
one that is as neutral, flat, and true to the human eardrum as
possible. The result is a monitor that sounds flat, realistic, and
perceptibly linear, while simultaneously delivering a highly
musical, high-end in-ear stereo experience.
Rather than tailoring our designs to the technical limitations
inherent in many portable digital audio players or entry-level
sources, our goal has always been to create the best-sounding,
most accurate, and highest-resolution IEMs possible, pushing
the boundaries of what can be achieved—even acknowledging
the subjective nature of sound perception. Consequently, the full
sonic potential of our monitors is best realised when paired with
high-end source equipment and proper amplification, most
commonly found in professional or audiophile-grade stationary
systems.
Although more challenging to work with than traditional hard-
shell acrylic customs, the soft silicone material we use offers a
uniquely organic sonic character and the ability to absorb
internal resonances generated by the transducers. This results in
a purer signal at the output, with no unwanted coloration added
to the music. In addition, silicone is shock-absorbent, reducing
the risk of physical damage to internal electronic components
when subjected to impact.
Audiologist Information
It is essential that ear impressions are taken exclusively by a
qualified professional audiologist to minimise the risk of improper
fit at this stage of production and to ensure your safety.
Spiral Ear manufactures full-shell earpieces; therefore, ear
impressions must always include the crus of the helix, tragus,
and anti-tragus.
Impressions should extend beyond the second bend of the ear
canal and must be made using high-viscosity silicone impression
material only.
While the impression material is setting, the jaw and facial
muscles should remain relaxed. The person should not speak
during the procedure.
We generally require closed-mouth impressions.
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to
contact us in advance.
We also strongly recommend having your hearing checked
during your visit to the audiologist.
Aftermarket Cable Compatibility
Our monitors are manufactured in accordance with clearly
defined, industry-standard specifications regarding 2-pin IEM
cable compatibility: 0.78 mm pin diameter and 3.43 mm pin
length. We use standard 2-pin / 3.5 mm TRS cables in
combination with our recessed socket design.
Please note that some aftermarket cable manufacturers do not
adhere to the industry-standard pin length. Even if the pin
diameter is correct, cables with non-standard pin lengths are not
compatible with our monitors and should not be used.
If you choose to use an aftermarket cable with our monitors, we
strongly recommend confirming with the manufacturer that the
cable meets full industry-standard specifications—namely, 0.78
mm pin diameter and 3.43 mm pin length—and that it features
an appropriately sized, lightweight plug housing (the smaller and
lighter, the better). Recently popular bulky, cylindrical plug housings are particularly
discouraged, as they act as long, heavy levers that increase
mechanical stress and can significantly accelerate wear of the
sockets over time.
Shorter pins offered by some aftermarket cable manufacturers
do not conform to industry standards and may damage the
sockets. Such cables should not be used with our monitors,
especially when combined with oversized plug housings.
Damage resulting from the use of non-standard cables is not
covered under our warranty.
Inserting / Removing
Colour coding for Custom and Universal IEM’s:
(R) Right monitor: red dot
(L) Left monitor- blue dot
When inserting or removing universal IEMs, please proceed
in the same manner as with our custom monitors.
Spiral Ear custom monitors are entirely made of soft, bio-grade
silicone. In order to achieve the desired sound, the monitors
must be inserted deep into the ear canal to provide the required
level of isolation. Without proper isolation, bass quantity and
quality will degrade substantially. Therefore, it is crucial to use
and insert the monitors exactly as intended. At first, inserting your monitors may seem difficult. With time and
practice, however, the process will quickly become second
nature.
Insertion
Step 1
Hold the earpiece with the canal portion facing downward and
the helix portion facing upward.
The cables should run over and
behind your ears to further reduce the microphonic effect.
Step 2
Place the canal portion into your ear canal.
Step 3
While inserting the canal portion, rotate the earpiece clockwise
or counter-clockwise, depending on whether it is the left or right
ear.
You may use your opposite hand to gently pull on the helix of
your ear.
Step 4
Insert the helix portion of the earpiece so that it is properly
tucked in.
If it is not positioned correctly, isolation and overall
sound quality (especially bass response and dynamics) will
degrade.
Step 5
Once properly inserted, gently push on the entire earpiece to
ensure the canal portion is seated as deeply as intended.
While
doing so, it may be helpful to pull on your earlobe with your
opposite hand.
Step 6
Gently adjust the memory cable around your ears.
Removal
When removing your monitors, never pull on the cable. Instead,
reach behind the earpiece and gently twist or “unscrew” it to
remove it safely.
IEM CARE & MAINTENANCE
After removing an earpiece from your ear, it is recommended to
ensure that each sound tube is thoroughly cleaned of any visible
debris using the provided cleaning tool. Never allow foreign
matter or moisture to be pushed deeper into the sound tubes. It is also recommended to gently clean the surface of the
monitors with a microfiber cloth and to use hearing-aid cleaning
products, such as approved cleaning sprays.
Always pay special attention to the point where the cable enters
the monitor, and never apply excessive pressure to this area. When inserting or removing the monitors, handle only the
earpiece itself – never pull on the cable. The silicone shell should not be excessively squeezed, and the
monitors should always be handled with care.
After cleaning the sound tubes and the surface of the earpieces,
it is highly recommended to store the monitors in an electronic
moisture-guard box. This helps safely and effectively remove
unwanted moisture using gentle heat, keeping the monitors in
optimal performance and cosmetic condition.
Warranty
Spiral Ear custom products carry:
- A 30-day fit warranty
- A 1-year warranty against defects not caused by user
misuse
A 30-day remould/refit period is included free of charge.
Spiral Ear universal products carry a 1-year warranty against
defects not caused by user misuse.
Warranty does not cover:
- Cable or socket damage or modification of any kind
- Wax or moisture inside the earpiece or sound tubes resulting in improper operation
- Repairs or modifications performed by anyone other than Spiral Ear technicians
- Loss or physical damage
- Issues caused by aftermarket cables with non-compatible specifications
- Shipping damage, mishandling, or use outside intended conditions
Customers are responsible for all shipping and customs fees,
unless Spiral Ear ships refitted, remoulded, or repaired monitors
back to the customer (in which case shipping costs are at the
company’s discretion).
Our monitors are compatible only with industry-standard cables
featuring:
- 0.78 mm pin diameter
- 3.43 mm pin length
- 2-pin / 3.5 mm TRS
- Recessed socket design
Shorter, non-standard pins offered by some aftermarket
manufacturers will damage the sockets. Such cables must not be
used, and any resulting damage is not covered under warranty.
Remould / Service
The remould service is available to the original purchaser only.
Please contact us in advance.
New set of detachable cables (Advanced Onyx or Advanced
Clear):
Termination: 0.78 mm pin diameter / 3.43 mm pin length; 3.5
mm TRS
The remoulding service includes a new set of connectors but
does not include a cable.
We do not remould third-party custom monitors and/or
universal IEMs.
Please contact us prior to shipment.
Newsletter
